President Enrique Pena Nieto Calls on Government to Protect Human Rights Simon Sanchez - The News
go to original April 3, 2017

President Enrique Peña Nieto (L), with Luis Raúl González Pérez, during the annual activities report from the CNDH in Mexico City (Cuartobscuro/Diego Simón Sánchez)

Friday President Enrique Peña Nieto received the Annual Report of Activities of 2016, from the President of the National Human Rights Commission (CNDH), Raúl González Pérez.

“Respect for basic rights, forces us to defend democracy and its institutions, and also to defend those aspects of democracy that recognize plurality and diversity in a society,” said Peña Nieto.

Peña Nieto said that all three branches of government, and both public and private institutions must do their part to help protect the rights of journalists, migrants, children, teenagers, kidnapping victims and women.

The event was attended by the Interior Secretary (Segob) Miguel Ángel Osorio Chong, the Foreign Relations Secretary (SRE) Luis Videgaray Caso, the Public Education Secretary (SEP) Aurelio Nuño Mayer and by the Head of the National Security Commission (CNSP) Renato Sales Heredia.

The president highlighted five specific issues in the various aspects contained in the CNDH report:

FIRST: “I would like to refer to the attacks on human rights defenders and journalists, such as those that occurred recently in Chihuahua, Guerrero and Veracruz. It is unacceptable for a person to be attacked for protecting people or making use of their freedom of expression. An attack on a journalist or a human rights defender is an attack on society as a whole.”

“Given this situation, we must review the design and operation of Mexican state mechanisms for the protection of journalists and human rights activists. It is necessary to strengthen the instruments and protective actions at the federal level and, of course, at the local level. This is a responsibility that requires joint responsibility.”

SECOND: “I would like to mention the issue of forced disappearance, another serious crime that hurts all of society. It is essential to guarantee the right to truth, the memory of victims and, above all, to alleviate the distress and anguish of their families by clarifying these facts. I congratulate Congress for working on drafting a law that will help put a stop to this abhorrent crime”.

THIRD: “It is essential to ensure the human rights of migrants, especially those returning to our territory. To this end, we launched the We are Mexican Program on the northern border, so that our countrymen can return in decent conditions, with full respect for their rights and engage in productive activity.”

FOURTH: “We are placing special emphasis on the defense and protection of the fundamental rights of our children and adolescents. We are determined to create a state policy in this area, by setting up the National System. We have also worked closely with local governments to set up state and municipal systems to defend children’s highest interests.”

FIFTH: “We have assumed women’s ability to exercise their right to a life free of violence as a permanent, top priority strategy. In Mexico, most women face obstacles, prejudices and attacks, which violate their freedom or limit their development. Despite significant progress, such as the Justice Centers for Women and the Gender Violence Alert Mechanism, serious challenges remain that require us to redouble our efforts.”

“Violence against women has serious social, economic and health costs. Violence destroys families and rots society. There can therefore be no room for indifference. No one should be complicit in the violence or discrimination against women.”

ARMED FORCES: The president said that, “One of the great pending issues is to meet the demand of the armed forces and advance a law that provides certainty for their actions in the field of security.”

He thanked the country’s armed forces, that “Have protected society from the violence of organized crime.”

Statement from the Presidency of the Republic

Related: Mexico Drug War Militarization: Peña Nieto's Defense of the Military Is Alternate Reality (Mexico Voices)

We invite you to add your charity or supporting organizations' news stories and coming events to PVAngels so we can share them with the world. Do it now!